Hundreds of Orthodox Jews crowded into Linden, NJ’s City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, during Chol Hamoed Pesach, to protest a series of proposed ordinances that community members say unfairly target and restrict the growth of the Orthodox Jewish population in the city.

Men and boys, many dressed in Yom Tov clothing, arrived in packed buses and cars, filling the municipal building beyond capacity. The meeting room quickly became overcrowded, with many people turned away at the door.

The meeting, which included second readings on several proposed zoning changes, concluded without a vote—adjourned in the face of the overwhelming turnout from the community.

While Linden had seen no changes to its zoning regulations for decades, residents note that since Orthodox families—primarily Chassidic—began moving into the area approximately seven and a half years ago, at least four ordinances have been passed. In each case, the changes have had a direct and disproportionate impact on the Orthodox community and its religious institutions.

The most glaring example came after the city approved its first shul. In response, officials amended the zoning code that required a minimum lot size of 25,000 square feet to build a house of worship, increasing it to 75,000. It has since been increased again to 90,000 square feet—far larger than any available lots in Linden. Additionally, a separate ordinance was passed banning the combining of lots, closing off a potential workaround.

Another ordinance reduced the buildable area of residential lots from 40% to 30%, and even less for larger parcels. This, residents argue, was clearly aimed at preventing shul construction, which often requires more building space and specific configurations.

The latest set of proposed ordinances, discussed during Tuesday’s meeting, continues that trend. One would prohibit the use of residential basements for any purpose—including sanitary uses such as bathrooms, mikvaos, or kitchens. Another would require that all homes include garages and a single narrow driveway, a zoning decision that community members say is designed to complicate the construction of practical multi-bedroom homes for large families.

In addition, the city is considering reducing the total allowable square footage that can be built on any given lot. These changes not only limit the functionality of new homes, but also devalue existing properties, causing concern among residents who have invested in the area.

The protests come against the backdrop of a high-profile lawsuit involving Mayor Derek Armstead. The lawsuit, filed last year by Paul Oliveira, former Assistant Superintendent of Academics for the Linden Board of Education, alleges that Armstead and other officials orchestrated an antisemitic hiring scheme aimed at preventing Orthodox Jews from gaining employment within the school district.

According to the complaint, Mayor Armstead was recorded saying that “this is what has to happen to keep our community from being taken over by guys with big hats and curls.” Other comments attributed to the mayor and school officials reference attempts to determine race and religion by last names and to exert full control over hiring decisions.

Mayor Armstead has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a political attack and describing the recorded comments as a “poor choice of words.” He has also framed the zoning ordinances as efforts to “preserve neighborhood character.” However, community members note the inconsistency between that claim and the city’s push to build high-rise multifamily housing for low-income residents in the same neighborhood—contradicting his stated motivations behind the new restrictions.

Attendees at the meeting said they came to express concern, not to cause disruption. “We wanted to make our voices heard,” one community member told YWN. “We’re not asking for special treatment—we’re asking for fair treatment.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)